Shloka 18

शरबन्धनम् (The Binding by Arrows) / Indrajit’s Illusory Assault and the Vanaras’ Consolation

Devanagari script

नीलंनवभिराहत्यमैन्दंचद्विविदंतथा ।।6.46.18।।त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरमित्रघ्नस्ततापप्रवरेषुभिः ।

Transliteration

nīlaṃ navabhir āhatya maindaṃ ca dvividaṃ tathā | tribhis tribhir amitraghnaḥ tatāpa pravareṣubhiḥ || 6.46.18 ||

Translation

敵を討つインドラジットは、ニーラを九本の矢で射抜き、またマインダとドゥヴィヴィダにもそれぞれ三本ずつ、精妙にして致命の矢を浴びせた。

Word by Word

• जाम्बवन्तम्: Jāmbavān
• जाम्बवन्तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जाम्बवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; नाम

• महेष्वासः: the great bowman
• महेष्वासः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक) + इष्वास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि (महान् इष्वासः यस्य); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; epithet of Indrajit

• विद्ध्वा: having pierced
• विद्ध्वा: पूर्वकाल (Gerundial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्यध्/विध् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); ‘having pierced’

• बाणेन: with an arrow
• बाणेन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• वक्षसि: in the chest
• वक्षसि: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• हनूमतः: of Hanumān
• हनूमतः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हनूमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• वेगवतः: swift/impetuous
• वेगवतः: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन (qualifying हनूमतः)

• विससर्ज: released
• विससर्ज: क्रिया (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-सृज् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शरान्: arrows
• शरान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• दश: ten
• दश: विशेषण (Numeral qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दशन् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक (qualifying शरान्)

Context

Indrajith, having spoken in that way to all Rakshasas, began to strike all the Vanara leaders looking at him.

Characters & Entities

• Indrajit (Meghanāda)
• Nīla
• Mainda
• Dvivida

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The verse invites reflection on the ethics of force: dharma does not deny conflict in a just war, but it evaluates intent and method—here, the narrative continues to portray aggression aligned with Rākṣasa aims.

What is the narrative situation?

Indrajit targets prominent Vānara warriors—Nīla, Mainda, and Dvivida—wounding them with multiple arrows.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The prominence of the Vānara leaders is implied by their being singled out; Indrajit’s tactical focus is also highlighted.